Gaining global recognition after playing at the Nations League, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship as a Japan Team player, Ran Takahashi returned to Nippon Sport Science University at the end of September. In this second half of the interview, he talks mainly about how he spent his college volleyball season during his sophomore year and the roles he played, as well as his game-changing decision to play in Italy.

Ran’s teammates at Nippon Sport Science University welcomed him back with warmth and excitement. “I thought that I was doing my team harm by being away for half a year. But when they told me about how they were inspired to see me on the Japan Team and playing against international players, I felt that I still had a positive effect on my teammates although I was away. Which is why I felt responsible to share with them what I learned from being on the Japan Team, to make our team stronger.”

Naturally, his teammates saw him differently. Their expectations for him became higher, and every move he made gathered everyone’s attention. But moreover, Ran noticed how each of his teammates seemed more determined to do better simply because of his presence. Their increased motivation was what inspired him to share his skills and experiences with them, who, in return, tried their utmost best to keep up.

During the first division of the 2021 Autumn Kanto University Volleyball League which began in October, Ran started as a bench player to revamp his physical condition. There were many times where first-year students played in his position as the outside hitter. He related with them since he also used to be the only freshman playing on the court. “I think it’s quite common for first-year students to dwell on why they can’t perform better. They have approached me for advice, and I’ve told them that it’s their mindset that’s important. There were times when I played poorly as well, but it’s when I overcame whatever challenges I was facing that made me stronger. I told them my personal experience.”

Because Ran was away for half a year, he couldn’t get in touch with his teammates that often. He might be the youngest member on the Japan Team, but when he’s back in college, his younger teammates rely on him for advice.

Winning all five games in the preliminary round, the Nippon Sport Science University team made it to the semifinals. Wearing his university team’s uniform for the first time in a year, Ran played on court with optimal physical condition since he got to sit out during the preliminary games. But his teammates seemed to feel nervous when he first joined them on court. “I felt some tension in the air. It was like they felt pressured to perform well because I was there. In the semifinal match against the University of Tsukuba, something was off, and our tosses weren’t consistent.”

Fortunately, they were able to fix those mistakes as they continued playing, leading them to another victory, and by the time they faced Waseda University in the final match, they were on a roll. Not so long ago, the Nippon Sport Science University has mentioned how their volleyball team was a well-rounded team with strong serve receiving skills and the ability to successfully pass out-of-system high balls, making them the ideal team for Ran to get used to since his forte is his receiving skills. And as the team was finally in sync after their semifinal game, the Nippon Sport Science University team won the Autumn League for the first time in nine years. Although Ran was certainly one of the members who helped score their points, he was also aware of his responsibility on the team because of his title as a member on the Japan Team.

“Active communication was what I focused on the most. It’s easy to lose sight of your surroundings when you’re so focused on playing, but I was able to leave some mental leeway because of my experience on the men’s national team. I was able to hype up my teammates and express excitement whenever someone did great. It’s a simple thing, but I was committed in creating an encouraging atmosphere for my team.” Putting into use what he experienced through being on the Japan Team, Ran led his team to victory which also became his first win as a college student.

On his social media account, Ran Takahashi’s introduction of himself includes the quote “Be the change you want to see in the world”. It’s a line from the American drama series Prison Break and is one of Ran’s favorite quotes. “It’s the perfect line for me right now. I was 19 when I gathered up my courage to compete in the world. And as I continued to challenge myself, I’ve come to think that having faith in the choices I make, such as my daily routines, dietary habits, and practices, would eventually pave the way for my future,” he explains.

In December 2021, after the college volleyball season ended, Ran’s determination of exhibiting courage became further evident through his significant decision of joining Italy’s Serie A. “Playing in the Olympics when I was only 19 was huge for me, since I quickly realized my lack of volleyball experience outside of Japan, among international players. The Paris 2024 Olympics is coming up, and I’ve decided that at the very least I should make it into the Japan Team. For me, it’s a matter of how much I can raise my game in the next three years and establish myself as one of the top players. I can’t waste a single game anymore. I want more opportunities where I could compete among and against the world’s best players,” he reveals.

The way that Ran Takahashi leads his life as a successful athlete is inspiring many children to play volleyball. “Starting volleyball in the middle of a pandemic when so many activities are restricted means that those kids must really like the sport. I think that holding on to their love for volleyball would be the key to stay focused. It’s also important to just have fun with the sport and to give it your best. I guess I would have to try and keep my position on the men’s national team until they grow old enough—I can’t wait to play with them someday!” he exclaims. Ran was 12 years old when he dreamt of playing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics—which came true for him. Perhaps in the not-so-distant future, young players would have followed his footsteps and catch up to him.